The Peretola Airport or better known as the Amerigo Vespucci Airport is located near Florence Italy. It one of the two major airports serving the Tuscany region with the other being the Pisa airport.

As characteristic of many of the airports in Italy, it's a very small airport with a single runway. Even being small, there has been a lot of money put into the expansion and improvement of the airport to help increase it's maximum operating efficiency. It can now handle 1.5 to 2.2 millions passengers per year.

Florence is the city served by the airport and is the principle city of the Tuscany region with around 1.5 million residents. It lies on the Arno River (See Picture Below) and has a very important history dating all the way back to the renaissance period. Florence is rich in its cultural, art and architectural heritage.

Millions of tourists flock to this region each year and it has been recently ranked as one of the top 100 cities visited in 2009. It's also been labeled by Forbes as among the most beautiful cities as well. With all the art galleries and museums and also an important city for international fashion, there's always something to see and do.

Car Rentals and Directions to Florence.....

There is actually a very good representation of car rental companies at the airport. These include Maggiore, Hertz, Winrent, Europcar, Avis and Auto Europa, and after hopping in your rental car at the airport, Florence is only 10 kilometers or 22 minutes away by car and by using these directions you'll be able to navigate your way to the city center to enjoy all the sights and culture this Tuscany city has to offer.

Head out on Via del Termine out of the parking lot and airport Via del Termine turns into Viale Zoroastro da Peretola that then turns into Viale degli Astronauti. Continue onto Viale degli Astronauti until it turns into Viale Alessandro Guidoni and go through one traffic circle. Drive on this road for 2.2 km. Then you'll want to make a slight right to stay on Viale Alessandro Guidoni. There will be a big red brick building to the right as you turn. Make a right on Via Enrico Forlanini and when you reach the traffic circle, you'll take the 2nd exit onto Via di Novoli. Continue through town on Viale Francesco Redi for about 1.5 km. The road will end and you'll need to make a right onto Viale Belfiore. Then make a left on Via Guido Monaco and there will be signs for directions. As the road forks, you want to stay to the left. Then turn left on Viale Filippo Strozzi . There will be an underpass with a prominent Roy Rogers sign taking up the side of the overpass. Make a right onto Viale Spartaco Lavagnini. There will be red and white barriers in the middle of the road. Stay to the far right of the barriers. There's going to be another fork in the road and this time you need to stay on the right side. Then turrn right onto Piazza della Libertà. This road turns into Viale Giacomo Matteotti.

At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit on Viale Antonio Gramsci and then make a right in your rental car onto Piazza Cesare Beccaria. Make another right on Viale della Giovine Italia and then one more right on Via dell'Agnolo. This becomes a one way road. Keep going until it turns into Via de' Pandolfini staying on the one way road and make a left on Via de' Giraldi. Then make a right on Via della Vigna Vecchia. Turn left onto Piazza di San Firenze and continue on this road until it changes into Via dei Leoni. Keep going and you'll be in the heart of the city.

What You'll Find at the Airport.....

The airport is very nice to come to and because of very short time to check in bags, there's always plenty of time to shop before boarding your flight. The check in area affords travelers the opportunity to visit the shops in the gallery area near the check in area or the duty free shops located in the boarding area for their convenience. Some shops include Eleganceline, Ermanno Scervino and Salvatore Ferragamo. For Dining there's My Chef and Spizzico that has salads, pasta, pizza, sandwiches and other tasty items to fill the tummy during your time at the Florence airport.

Hotels Near the Airport.....

There are many great hotels within a couple of rental car miles from the airport and with the city so close, you can have access to all great sights along with the convenience of also being near the airport when it's time to leave.Novotel Firenze Nord Aeroporto - This hotel is located 1.5 miles from the airport. It has comfortable rooms, satellite TV with a private private bathroom. One of the perks of the hotel is the possibility of a late check-out on Sundays until 5pm. It's kid friendly with all children receiving a gift on arrival and free breakfast for two children under 16 who are their with their parents in the same room. There's also a 24 hour restaurant and a swimming pool. The rates start at 111 euros.

Hotel Villa Stanley - The Hotel Stanley has many spacious rooms located 1.7 miles from the airport. It offers free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, swimming and free parking. The fourteenth century villa has its own restaurant specializing in Mediterranean food with many Tuscan favorites. You can also enjoy an English style breakfast while enjoying the beautiful grounds from the terrace. It is also affordable starting at 80 euros.

Raffaello - The Raffaello has all the conveniences you are looking for. It's a couple of miles from the hotel and offers rooms with free Wi-Fi , TV, air conditioning and a private bathroom. The hotel offers a great selection foods at the restaurant while the bar provides plenty of snacks. It has a great continental breakfast and because it's located in a residential area, you'll have access to many markets, cafes and shops on the weekends. You can find a room starting at 100 euros.

Types of Rental Vehicles Available at the Florence Airport.....

SUV's, minivans, minibuses, economy cars, luxury cars and just about any other vehicle type is available at the Florence Airport. We always recommend that you reserve your vehicle, however - just in case. While you're at it, you might want to check out the possibility of reserving a GPS when booking your car. Sometimes you can get a pretty good deal thru us. Thanks for shopping with Eurocar Rental and we hope you enjoy your Florence Airport Car Rental.